Seasonal BLM roads open in Grand County, caution urged

KREMMLING, Colo. – While most seasonal roads are now open on Bureau of Land Management land in Grand County, officials are urging the public to be cautious because of lingering snow drifts, fallen trees, and beetle-killed tree hazards.

“If you choose to use the BLM roads during this early season, be sure to carry a chainsaw or bow saw with you, particularly because a tree may fall and block your passage back out,” said BLM Kremmling Field Manager Stephanie Odell. “Also, we are reminding the public to stay on existing roads and stay off muddy roads to reduce damage.”

McQueary Creek Road No. 2756, which is about two miles east of Hot Sulphur Springs, remains closed because of significant damage from heavy snowfall and run-off. The closure will remain in effect until repairs can be completed.

Many BLM roads in Grand County are seasonally closed during the winter to protect wildlife habitat and reduce resource damage. But following such a heavy snow year, soils in many areas are saturated and particularly susceptible to damage.

Additional precautions need to be taken in the many areas of BLM land in Grand County affected by mountain pine beetles, where many trees have died and are now falling:

•Stay out of the forest when there are strong winds that could blow down trees. If you are already in the forest when the winds kick up, head to a clearing out of reach of any potential falling trees.

•Place tents and park vehicles in areas where they will not be hit if trees fall. Do not use dead trees to tie off tent lines.

•When driving in remote areas of the forest, park close to a main road, rather than on a spur or one-way section. If trees fall across the road you may be trapped.

•Keep in mind still-living trees in beetle-killed forests are also more likely to be blown over because they no longer have the support of other trees.

More information about roads, travel management and mountain pine beetles is available atwww.blm.gov/co/kfo.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2013, the BLM generated $4.7 billion in receipts from public lands.